The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 06, 2000
Filed:
Apr. 07, 1997
John E Davis, Claremont, CA (US);
Veron R Creekmore, Chino Hills, CA (US);
The Boeing Company, Seal Beach, CA (US);
Abstract
This invention relates to an apparatus for observing objects and determining their position. A SIRPS (Staring Infrared Panoramic Sensor) for observing objects in a 360.degree. field of view around the SIRPS is coupled with a GPS (global positioning system) to give position data for the objects observed by the SIRPS, an IMU (inertial measurement unit) which provides data on the attitude of the SIRPS and a transmitter to transmit the view of the objects and the position data to a user having a display showing him the objects and positions of the objects. The SIRPS, IMU, GPS and transmitter/receiver are combined in a pod which is placed in a position where it can have a large field of view such as by being flown over the area to be observed such as under a modified Rogollo wing tethered to the ground to hold it in position. A repeater will allow two way communications through the device which is in the air such that radio communications over barriers, such as hills, is enabled. A user receives the SIRPS images and displays them for viewing such that the user can then see objects and know their positions.